Duncan's buzzer-beater lifts Warren

It was a game that started as a nightmare but ended as a dream for the Warren Blue Devils.

David Duncan's 3 pointer at the buzzer sent Warren into the semifinals of the Pontiac Holiday Tournament for the fourth year in a row with a 32-29 win over Lockport, handing the Porters their first loss of the year.

"David is a fearless shooter," Warren coach Chuck Ramsey said. "Even when he had a bad shooting game, I had confidence in him."

With 9.4 seconds left, Lockport (7-1) called a timeout to set up their defense. That also gave Warren (8-1) time to set up the game winning play.

Warren isolated Brandon Paul (16 points, 10 rebounds) at midcourt, and he penetrated to the right of the lane. Lockport defender Ryan Callazzo came off of Duncan and left him open for game-winner in the right corner.

"The play was designed for whoever," explained David Duncan, "Brandon drew the double team and kicked it out to me."

"I knew they would come off of me, " Paul said, "I was looking to give it to David if I couldn't take it."

The game winning 3-pointer was the only field goal for Duncan in the game. He was 0-for-9 in the previous 31:59.

The game wasn't as exciting in the first quarter . Warren had a scoring drought that lasted five minutes, 40 seconds. What made it easier to swallow was Lockport had a similar drought that lasted 5:20.

When asked how to describe the game, Coach Ramsey gave two options.

"It was either good defense or bad shooting," he said. "You figure it out."

Warren led 4-3 after the first quarter, 14-12 at the half, and trailed 25-24 entering the fourth.

"I have never been apart of such a low-scoring game before," said Duncan, whose foul trouble contributed to his low point total.

Did the game's early start time have anything to do with the low-scoring game? Coach Ramsey thinks not.

"We have been practicing early during the winter break in anticipation of early games," Ramsey said. "I don't think it was a factor."

After scoring 20 points on 10 for-10 shooting on Monday, Warren's James Poliquin was limited to 4 points.

Ryan Callozzo led Lockport with 14 points and Dmonte Hopkins added 10 for the Porters.

Warren will play Chicago Curie, which ended Simeon's bid for a four-peat at Pontiac 52-47, in a semifinal at 1 p.m. Wednesday.